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(by Sophie Day, Gazette, 27th September 2024)

 

A man has been busy over the summer making financial donations to local good causes. Peter Foster, the charity steward of the 104-year-old Elvetham Masonic Lodge, has been handing out cash to help local groups. Peter said: “Every summer, Elvetham Masonic Lodge try to provide some financial support to local good causes with suggestions for… read more:

 

 

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(by Allegra Rosenberg, Slate, September 28, 2024)

 

A nondescript building in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood houses, variously, the offices of the Fader magazine, the offices of the National Institute for the Psychotherapies (and various therapists’ rooms therein), and the infrastructure consulting firm AECOM. Visitors to the building, coming in through the 23rd Street entrance, might glimpse some strange imagery decorating the lobby—a mural full of odd symbols, men in aprons moving blocks of stone around a pyramid featuring a golden sun. The Masonic Hall was built by Freemasons in 1873, and is still owned and operated by them. The 23rd Street half of the city-block-spanning building is the commercial side, rented out to tenants, but the other side is entirely occupied by Masonic lodge meeting rooms, libraries, and administrative offices, and has been for over… read more:

 

 

The post What if the Solution to Men’s Loneliness Is … Freemasonry? appeared first on FREEMASONRY.network.

(by editorial board, The Daily Telegraph, 28th September 2024)

 

A new leader of the Freemasons in NSW and the ACT is keen to clear up the myths behind the rituals, special handshakes and hidden symbols of the mysterious brotherhood… read more:

 

 

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(by Matthew Holmes, Strout News, 27th September 2024)

 

Gloucestershire Freemasonry held its annual Charity Day at ‘The Hill’ in Stroud to celebrate the support given to local charities during 2023. Sean Sullivan, the Charity Steward, opened the proceedings. Ian Davies, the newly appointed head of over 2500 Gloucestershire Freemasons, told everyone how the members had donated £338,056 to purchase mobile scanners for Cheltenham, Gloucester and Southmead hospitals over a period of only 18 months. He then explained that grants totalling almost £154,000 to other local charities came from the MCF (Masonic Charitable Foundation), GCF (Gloucestershire Charitable Foundation) and the GMCA (Gloucestershire Masonic Charity Action) which… read more:

 

 

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(by Dave King, Sussex World, 23rd September 2024)

 

This past Saturday, seven members of the West Group of Sussex Freemasons braved challenging weather to participate in Stonepillow’s annual Big Sleep Out event. Held on the lawns of Chichester Cathedral, the event aimed to raise awareness and funds to support the homeless in Chichester and Bognor Regis. The Freemasons raised an impressive £2,674 in sponsorship to aid Stonepillow’s essential services. Stonepillow, a local charity founded in 1989, has a long history of providing shelter, rehabilitation, and support to homeless and vulnerable individuals in West Sussex. The Big Sleep Out event is… read more:

 

 

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(by Craig Bunday, Peterborough Telegraph, 25th September 2024)

 

Peterborough Freemasons are amongst those who, together with other members in Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire, have given generously to worthwhile local causes in the past, have now surpassed giving £2.5 million to worthwhile causes over the last six years. Lodges within the Province, which includes the Peterborough Masonic Centre in Ellindon, Bretton, have been in a six year ‘Festival’ since 2018. They had a target of £2.024M to raise for the Masonic Charitable Foundation, which does amazing work for Masonic Charities such as Teddies For Loving Care and Lifelites – the only charity giving children with… . read more:

 

 

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(by Newsdesk, Charity Today, 23rd September 2024)

 

Westminster-based Woman’s Trust is a charity that supports women who have experienced domestic abuse to rebuild their lives through specialist counselling, therapeutic support groups and psycho-educational workshops. Since it was established in 1996, it has helped over 19,600 women across London – face to face in venues in Westminster, Hammersmith & Fulham, Newham, Hackney and Tower Hamlets, as well as via remote channels when appropriate. As the Crime Survey for England and Wales estimated that 1.4 million women experienced domestic abuse in the year ending March 2023, the work of Woman’s Trust could never be more important. When women first come to Woman’s Trust, they report serious mental health impacts from the trauma of the abuse – 48% of their clients report depression; 21% report self-harming and 37% report suicidal feelings. Key outcomes of their services include… read more:

 

 

The post London/England – Women’s Trust Supports London Abuse Survivors with Help from Freemasons appeared first on FREEMASONRY.network.

(by Joey Oliver, mLIVE, September 21, 2024)

 

The Masonic Temple on North Madison Avenue was built in the 1890s, making it one of the city’s rich sources of history. But with age comes stories of the paranormal – tales of those who once walked the Masonic Temple halls revisiting them in the form of auras, shadows or waves of cold air. Indeed, Bay City’s Masonic Temple is one of the city’s more intriguing destinations when it comes to alleged paranormal hot spots. And for those eager to better understand it, they will have the chance in October to check it out for… read more:

 

 

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(by Matthew Paddick, Geraldton Guardian, 19 September 2024)

 

The Freemasons have celebrated the formation of a new Mid West district, with its leader installed in a ceremony last weekend. Members of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry from across the State gathered in Geraldton to celebrate the formation of the District of Midwest and the installation of its leader Carl Reynolds. Mr Reynolds said it was a privilege to be… read more:

 

 

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(by Sophie Skyring, Wisbech Standard, 18th September 2024)

 

A Freemasons Lodge has donated £1,000 to a Rainbow Guides group. The Gild of Holy Trinity Freemasons Lodge No 6125 in Wisbech made the donation to the 1st Leverington Rainbow Guides. The donation was made possible with the support of the City and University of Cambridge University Charitable Trust, the Breakfast Bruvvers Club, and personal donations from members. The Leverington Rainbows, who meet weekly at Gorefield Community Hall, provide a structured programme of… read more:

 

 

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(by Keith Dempsey , Recorder & Times, September 20, 2024)

 

Gananoque council has unanimously approved an encroachment agreement for the Masonic Lodge, paving the way for its conversion to housing. The agreement with the owner of 299 Arthur Street provides legal approval of the structure within the town’s right-of-way. Town officials have permitted the minor encroachment in practice for more than a century, but the owner wanted the encroachment agreement on paper in order to complete work on the property. The Masonic Lodge, which is encroaching on the town’s right-of-way of William Street, has been there for approximately 150 years. Currently, the property is owned by… read more:

 

 

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(by David Barton, Thurrock Nub News, 16th September 2024)

 

Thurrock may not be the first name that springs to mind when you think Caribbean, but the Essex Freemasons of Henry de Gray Lodge who meet at the Cross Keys Masonic Centre in Chadwell St Mary, changed all that with a Caribbean Beach themed party that will live long in the memory. With the assistance of fellow Freemason Steve Bruyel and his family who hosted the event a ‘Tiki’ bar was erected, sandy beach backdrops adorned the garden walls, and the sound of reggae music, laughter and fun were heard everywhere. Accompanied by a barbecue consisting of jerk chicken with other local favourites, and a never-ending stream of mojitos, everyone had a fantastic day and a very long night. The Charity event for Fragile X Society, was… read more:

 

 

The post Essex/England – Don’t worry and Be’ach happy! Local Freemasons raise thousands for charities appeared first on FREEMASONRY.network.

(by Oliver Murphy, The Hunts Post, 17th September 2024)

 

A man charged with “fraud by abuse of position” while serving as a treasurer for a Freemasons lodge appeared in court on September 6. Raymond Godby, of Station Road, Abbots Ripton, appeared at Cambridge Crown Court charged with one count of fraud by abuse of position and two counts of fraud by false representation. The alleged offences occurred between July 1, 2018 and September 5, 2022 while he was treasurer at the Stuart Lodge of the Freemasons. The lodge is based in… read more:

 

 

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(by editorial board, East Texas Radio, September 16, 2024)

 

An All-you-can Eat Fish Fry Fundraiser will be at Paris Masonic Lodge at Lodge 3150 S. Church St. on Saturday, September 21, from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm. Donations are welcome… read more:

 

 

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(by Dean Hesse, decaturish.com, September 15, 2024)

 

Tucker Masonic Lodge No. 42 presented DeKalb Fire Rescue Capt. Shawn Staton and DeKalb Police Officer Joe L. Turner with Community Achievement Awards during a ceremony at their Lodge on Main Street in downtown Tucker on Monday, Sept. 9. Worshipful Master Marvin Brown opened the program and observed that fraternal organizations and the first responder profession share many common values. “Service to our communities, charity, and… read more:

 

 

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(by Lifeboats News Release, RNLI Lifeboats 200, 13 September 2024)

 

The Wro and Wirral Masonic Luncheon Club have generously gifted a family set of CPR manikins to their local RNLI lifeboat stations, so the volunteer crews can practice their lifesaving training. West Kirby RNLI has recently been gifted a valuable addition to its training equipment with a Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) family manikin set. This kind donation was made possible through Sally and Howie Boyd, former owners of The Wro, West Kirby, in addition to Alan Bates and Guy Morris, on behalf of the Wirral Masonic Luncheon Club. This new set will play a crucial role in enhancing the life-saving skills of the volunteer crews across the Wirral. The advanced set of manikins features Bluetooth connectivity, allowing them to provide real-time feedback on key CPR metrics – such as compression rate, depth, hand placement and… read more:

 

 

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(by Newsdesk, Charity Today, 13th September 2024)

 

HUNDREDS of disabled children will be less isolated and more engaged in sports thanks to a £15,000 grant from London Freemasons to Disabled Sports Coach (DSC). The grant will go towards running its inclusive community sports clubs for children who have been left out of sport. Children attending have a wide range of conditions including Down’s syndrome, cerebral palsy and complex needs. Many are autistic and 85 per cent of members have a learning disability. They are unable to access gyms and leisure centres unsupported, but DSC breaks down the barriers to sports so… read more:

 

 

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(by editorial board, photo courtesy of David Skocik, Daily State News, September 9, 2024)

 

Masonic Charities of Delaware provided grants totaling $90,000 to 13 nonprofit, volunteer-run organizations that benefit youth, bereaved families, first responders and veterans across the state on Aug. 21 at the Dover lodge. Recipients included… . read more:

 

 

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(by Ginny Kropf, Lockport Union-Sun&Journal, September 11, 2024)

 

Members of the Towpath Masonic Lodge #1193 had the rare honor of recognizing a 75-year member in a special awards ceremony on Sept. 4. John Long of Tonawanda is a retired chiropractor who practiced in Medina in the 1940s. He became interested in Masonry when he came to Medina to open an office and met Alvin Eskelson. Eskelson owned a dairy in Medina and was dedicated to Masonry, having been a past master of the Medina Lodge. Eskelson owned the building that housed Curry’s Dress Shop on Medina’s Main Street, and Long’s office was on the second floor. The Towpath Lodge was formed from… read more:

 

 

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(by Jared Barton, The Columbus Telegram, August 12, 2024)

 

In freemasonry, Psalm 133 is read in first-degree ceremonies, instructing the reader to “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.” Thanks to the recent completion of work on Fidelity Lodge #51’s new space, members of the public can do just that with them. Around three years ago, Lodge Master Mike Jones said, they began the renovation and move process from 4th Avenue and E Street to 343 E St. A big change, Jones said, is that now their building is at ground level. “We used to own a building on the North side of the square, BJ’s Hardware’s upper story, next to Roper’s. Then Marty Roper bought it from us. When we owned it, we had the upstairs area, we probably owned it for 60-70 years,” Jones said. The renovations began years ago on the old Banner-Press office, Jones said, with Chuck Oborny at the helm working to … read more:

 

 

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